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Review of economic projects in Afghanistan in 2023
In 2023, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) was able to complete some huge projects from domestic revenues with little resources.
The completion of the first part of the Qosh Tepa canal and the reconstruction of part of the Salang highway are among the most important projects that were completed this year.
Attracting investment of 6.5 billion dollars on seven large mines, expanding trade relations with neighboring countries, maintaining the value of the Afghan currency against foreign currencies, preventing the smuggling of dollars out of the country, and also preventing the exchange of foreign currencies in daily transactions are considered to be among the other achievements of the IEA in 2023.
The start of the reconstruction of the Kabul-Kandahar highway, the extraction of oil from the Qashqari wells in Sar-e-Pul province, and the beginning of the extension of the 500 kV Jawzjan-Kabul line are also among the projects of 2023.
In addition, Afghanistan’s exports to other countries also increased. Based on the statistics of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, exports have reached one billion and 717 million dollars.
Afghanistan’s export goods have been exported to Iran, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China, Kazakhstan and America.
In 2023, the value of the Afghan currency was not only maintained against foreign currencies, but the value of the Afghan currency increased, the central bank stopped commercial transactions with foreign currencies and did not allow dollars to be smuggled out of Afghanistan.
This year, Afghanistan has had 21% of imports from Iran, 18% of imports from China, 18% of imports from Pakistan, and 14% of imports from the United Arab Emirates.
However, experts have said that Afghanistan needs more work and effort to get out of the current situation into a better status.
Hundreds of former U.S. officials are calling on Washington to cancel a reported plan to relocate Afghan refugees from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an open letter addressed to the U.S. State Department, more than 600 former civilian and military officials, along with around 100 organizations, urged the administration to stop the proposed transfer. The letter was sent to Marco Rubio.
The signatories argue that the Afghan nationals in question were brought to Qatar by the United States to complete legal immigration procedures after undergoing extensive security vetting. The letter states that while the individuals were cleared for resettlement in the United States, they are now being considered for relocation to Congo, a country for which they were never screened.
“Those individuals were vetted and approved for the United States, not for the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the letter reads.
According to the report, more than 1,100 Afghan allies and their family members are currently being held at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar under U.S. supervision. Around 800 of them have already completed all security checks and received authorization to travel to the United States. More than half are women and children, and many have remained in transit limbo for over 15 months.
The situation has drawn criticism from former officials and policy observers, who describe the proposed relocation as a betrayal of Afghan allies who supported U.S. missions and risked their lives during the war in Afghanistan. Critics also warn that the move could damage U.S. credibility with future partners.
Several members of the U.S. Congress had previously expressed opposition to the proposal, cautioning that it could significantly undermine trust in the United States among its allies.
Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan, has said that no country should interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, stressing that it is up to Afghans themselves to bring about any change in their country.
In a post on X, Durrani said Afghans should be “left to their own devices” and that they would eventually “find the way out” of their challenges.
However, he warned that instability inside Afghanistan could have negative consequences for neighbouring countries, adding that Afghan leaders and their supporters should take responsibility to address such risks.
Durrani described his remarks as a simple expression of goodwill and best wishes for the Afghan people and their future.
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Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, has met with Tetsuya Yamada, Director General of the South Asia Department at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to discuss cooperation on Afghanistan-related development projects.
According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides focused on the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at supporting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the Japanese side praised Uzbekistan’s “pragmatic approach” toward Afghanistan, as well as the infrastructure developed in the border city of Termez.
Japan also expressed interest in utilizing the Termez facilities for future humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, private sector development, and counter-narcotics efforts.
Both sides emphasized that such cooperation is aimed at improving the living conditions and overall well-being of the Afghan people.
Former US officials urge halt to plan relocating Afghan refugees from Qatar to Congo
James Webb Telescope captures clearest-ever view of exoplanet’s surface
Ex-Pakistan envoy Durrani urges non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan and Japan discuss joint projects for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
ATN seals Ariana Snooker Championship deal for five seasons
Tahawol: Pressure on Afghan refugees from Tajikistan to Europe discussed
Saar: Ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy discussed
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
Tahawol: Deportation of Afghan refugees from Germany discussed
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